High Heat Prompts Utility To Reduce Power

Officials from BGE said Wednesday afternoon that they have begun a PeakRewards emergency cycling event.

According to officials, all customers who are voluntarily
enrolled in the PeakRewards Air Conditioning program and the PeakRewards
Electric Water Heater program will be cycled up to their chosen level of
participation.

BGE officials say PeakRewards Air Conditioning program
customers who have chosen to participate at the 50 percent level will have
their compressors turned off for half the time they would normally run. For
those at the 75 percent level, compressors will be off for three-quarters the
time they would normally run. And finally, customers who participate at the 100
percent level will have no air conditioning for the duration of the event,
meaning no new cool air will be produced.

Additionally, BGE officials say customers in the PeakRewards Electric Water Heater program will
not have their water heated until the event ends.

During the cycling event, the word ôSAVINGSö should appear
on PeakRewards thermostats inside participating customersÆ homes or a red light
should illuminate on the PeakRewards switch on or near the central air
conditioning unit or water heater.

There is no word on how long the cycling event will last.

The PJM, which operates the electric grid for parts of the North
Atlantic has directed the emergency cycling event.

Customers will not be able to override cycling during this
emergency event. However, customers who have a medical or health condition or
require assistance are advised to call the PeakRewards customer hotline at
888.309.PEAK (7325).